Herman C. Long, Catcher, Kansas City Cowboys, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This card of Herman C. Long, catcher for the Kansas City Cowboys, was produced by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes in 1888. The card offers a fascinating glimpse into the intertwined histories of commerce, sport, and visual culture in the late 19th century United States. The image presents Long in his baseball uniform, a visual shorthand for the burgeoning professional sport. The inclusion of these cards in cigarette packs served as a promotional tool, capitalizing on the popularity of baseball to sell tobacco products. This speaks to the rise of consumer culture and the increasing commercialization of leisure activities. To truly understand this card, one might delve into archival research on the Goodwin & Company, exploring their marketing strategies and the broader context of the tobacco industry. This helps us interpret art as a product of specific economic and social conditions.